Job description
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
Job Announcement
Temporary Staff (Attorney or J.D. Post-Graduate)
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
AGENCY DESCRIPTION: Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a statewide, not-for profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in civil cases through 8 branch offices. ILS is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, Indiana Civil Legal Aid Fund, United Ways, Area Agencies on Aging, and approximately 65 other funding sources.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER: ILS is committed to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any category protected by law.
We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
LITC DESCRIPTION: Low Income Taxpayer Clinics ensure the fairness and integrity of the tax system by educating low income taxpayers about their rights and responsibilities, by providing free representation to taxpayers in tax disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), by conducting outreach and education to low income taxpayers and those with limited English proficiency, and by identifying and advocating for issues that affect low income taxpayers. Eligibility for legal representation is based on the existence of a controversy with IRS; taxpayers may also receive assistance with a related state tax controversy involving Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR). Taxpayers are frequently represented in audits, appeals, requests for innocent spouse relief, collection matters, and before the U.S. Tax Court. Although an LITC is not a tax preparation service, preparation of prior years’ tax returns is often necessary to resolve an individual taxpayer’s controversy. The LITC is funded in part by a grant from IRS.
Tax advocacy for low-income clients is an important part of poverty law practice. Without representation, individuals with tax problems face the loss of badly needed funds, either through IRS and IDOR collection action or by being unable to access important tax benefits, such as educational credits and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Tax advocacy sits at the intersection of family, consumer, public benefits, and housing law. It primarily involves interaction with clients, legal research, written and telephone communication with administrative agencies, and handling cases pending in the U.S. Tax Court. In 2018, we reduced our clients’ tax liabilities by $704,788 and got over $55,500 refunded to our clients.
ILS’s LITC is a statewide project located in the ILS branch office in Bloomington. The LITC staff includes the LITC Director and the full-time LITC Staff Attorney. Additionally, between two and five law students work part-time in the LITC. Their duties include providing direct representation to taxpayers with special approval from IRS and under attorney supervision and assisting with education and outreach to low income and limited English proficiency taxpayers
LOCATION
: This position is located in the Bloomington office of Indiana Legal Services.
JOB SUMMARY: This a temporary attorney or J.D. post-graduate position for between 20-37.5 hours per week through July 2023. The attorney or J.D. will primarily provide representation to low-income taxpayers, and perform other duties as needed. The attorney or J.D. will work under the supervision of the LITC Project Director.
COMPENSATION
: Salary is commensurate with experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Represent low-income taxpayers in controversies with the IRS and IDOR.
- Provide consultations to taxpayers.
- Train and supervise law students working in the LITC.
- Provide education workshops to low income and immigrant taxpayers.
- Engage in effective outreach using a range of techniques including in person activities, traditional media, and social media.
- Comply with all LSC and grant requirements and all ILS policies and procedures.
- Identify systemic issues affecting low income and limited English proficiency taxpayers and take appropriate action, including litigation or commenting on proposed IRS and IDOR regulations, to address those issues.
- Respond to requests for advice and assistance about tax matters from other ILS case handlers.
- Perform other duties as required by the LITC Program Office.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Dedication to the mission of Indiana Legal Services and the LITC Program.
- Juris Doctor degree.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong research skills.
- An interest and ability to supervise law students.
- Previous tax controversy experience preferred but not required.
- Fluency in Spanish desirable but not required.
POSITION START DATE
: As soon as reasonably possible.
TO APPL
Y
: Send a letter explaining your interest and experience, your resume, and a list of at least 3 professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers to Karen at human.resources@ilsi.net and Leslie Parrish at leslie.parrish@ilsi.net.
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